Mickalene Thomas

Thomas depicts African American women in intimate household settings using acrylic paint, enamel, and rhinestone. The many decorative patterns of the clothing, blankets, wall coverings and upholstery are mainly inspired by the artist’s cultural identity and her memories of growing up in the 1970s. Other sources of inspiration for Thomas’ work are women, including her mother, 70s icons, and those depicted in print advertisements, album covers and art history. Thomas investigates these themes of self-image, eroticism, black female celebrity, and the marketing of black urban identity to celebrate and critique the black narrative.

BLOOM PROJECTS series
Mickalene Thomas